Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me.
Classification: PG-13
Category: Harm/Mac Humor
Summary: This is in response to a challenge. Harm wakes up on the
wrong side of the bed. Second in my Commercial Series.
Written 12/01
JAG Headquarters
Zulu 1200
Eastern Pacific Time: 7am but I'm just guessing
Harm juggled his briefcase and a stack of books he had borrowed from the law library the day before as he tried to press the elevator button. One of the books slid precariously and in an attempt to catch it, the others toppled to the floor along with his briefcase which burst open sending papers everywhere. "Damn!" He whispered under his breath as he picked up the heap of papers and books that were scattered in front of the elevator. His case had taken a sudden course change the day before requiring him to change his strategy and work until the early hours of the morning formulating a new defense for his client.
Just as Harm picked up the last book, Bud and Harriet entered the building and offered their assistance. "Let me help you with that sir." Harriet pulled the books away disturbing the careful balance and sending the books and briefcase back to the floor. "I'm so sorry Sir!" Harriet gushed.
They all stooped down at the same time and bumped heads. Harm sucked in a strained breath, "That's okay Lt. I can get this." He looked around irritably at the elevator that had failed to arrive.
"Oh Sir, I should tell you the elevator isn't working. I called the repairman yesterday." Harriet smiled apologetically.
Bud reached to take some of Harm's burden, "I'll take your briefcase, and you can take the books."
Harm carefully handed the case to his fellow lawyer and stabilized the stack of books as the three headed up the staircase.
Upon reaching the bullpen Tiner approached, "Commander Rabb, Lt. Roberts. I have a message from Admiral Morris. Court is canceled until Monday. The Admiral has had a flare up of his diverticulitis."
"Oh that is just great!" Harm's frustration was evident. "I need some coffee." He added grumpily, marched to his office, and tossed the books on his desk sending his desk lamp to the floor. "Damn!"
"Well, who let the dogs out?" Harriet muttered to her husband as they watched Harm storm out of his office towards the kitchen.
"I just think he hasn't had his morning coffee." Bud responded.
"Who hasn't had their coffee?" Mac walked up to the pair as she just arrived looking rested and jovial.
"Tiner! Why hasn't any coffee been made this morning!" Harm's voice bellowed across the bullpen.
"Take a guess." Harriet chuckled.
"Someone better go rescue Tiner." Mac smiled and walked towards the break room.
"Sir, the coffeemaker 'bit the dust'. I poured water through it and it didn't heat up. I don't think this coffeepot was designed for industrial use. Perhaps we should see if the Admiral will put into the budget one of those heavy duty types. My aunt uses one..." Tiner rattled on totally missing Harm's murderous look.
"Tiner, I don't want you to expatiate on the pros and cons of different coffeemakers. If you knew that this coffeepot was superannuated then why didn't you speak up before now! I just want a cup of coffee!" Harm rubbed his forehead.
"Sir?" Tiner looked dumbfounded.
Mac walked in and smiled at Tiner, "The Commander doesn't want to discuss the outdated coffeepot with you. I believe I saw a coffeemaker in the storage room. Why don't you go get it and see if it works." Tiner excused himself and left the two officers in the small kitchen with Harm was searching through the cabinets.
"Damn! We don't even have any tea. I need caffeine!" He slammed the cabinet door.
Mac calmly opened a drawer and pulled out a jar of instant coffee with a red label. She pulled out their mugs and sat them on the counter. Harm had given her the mug 'Southern Women don't have hot flashes they have power surges' after attending a conference in Biloxi, Mississippi. His mug with the words 'Still plays with cars'; she had given him in honor of his latest obsession. She scooped out a couple of teaspoons of the dark crystals and poured hot water into each mug. Harm stopped his useless activity when he smelled the aroma of the rich brew.
Mac stirred in a teaspoon of sugar and handed it to him, "Now stop acting like a Troll."
He gave her a sour look and took a sip. "It's not sweet enough."
Mac smiled wickedly, stuck her finger into the coffee, and swirled it around. "Now, it should be sweet enough."
Raising an eyebrow looking a little surprised, he took another sip and grinned impishly.
"Better?" Mac taunted.
"Much. You know what they say don't you?" Harm now had a gleam in his eyes.
"And what would that be Sailor?"
"The best part of waking up is Solders in your cup." He sang the commercial jingle.
"I'm a Marine." Mac chuckled with a fiery gaze.
"That works too." Harms took another long sip, and all the signs of frustration and fatigue that had taken up residence on his face earlier turned into a large 'flyboy' smile.
The two exited the break room as Tiner entered carrying the new coffeemaker into the area. Harriet and Bud passed the two senior officers and made their way into the kitchen. They found Tiner busy reading the pamphlet of instructions to the coffee maker. "I'll have the coffee going in just a few minutes Sir."
"We thought you already had some made. The Commander certainly seemed in a better mood just now." Harriet observed.
"Yea, he was actually humming that coffee commercial song." Bud added somewhat bewildered by the sudden change in his mentor.
Later that evening
Mac's apartment
Who cares what Zulu time it is.
"Mac?" Harm hums the coffee song.
"Yea?"
"Would you fix me another cup of coffee?"
"Okay."
"This time you can leave out the sugar and the coffee and the cup."
"You are soooo bad Sailor."
The end
